How to Get Your Real Estate License in Frankfort, Illinois

If you are considering a real estate career in Frankfort, Illinois, an approved online Illinois pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education while fitting study time around work and family responsibilities. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.

Illinois licenses real estate professionals at the state level, so the basic licensing process is the same in Frankfort as it is elsewhere in Illinois. Local knowledge of Frankfort, Will County, nearby communities, housing activity, and client needs can become an important part of building a successful practice, but applicants must first satisfy Illinois education, examination, application, sponsorship, and background-review requirements.

Illinois Real Estate License Requirements

Most people entering residential or commercial sales begin by applying for an Illinois Real Estate Broker license. IDFPR’s current professional-requirements summary lists these general requirements for a broker applicant:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required Illinois broker pre-license education.
Pass the state and national portions of the licensing examination.
Complete the application process and pay the applicable fee.
Complete any required background check and fingerprinting steps.
Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois sponsoring broker before practicing with an active license.

IDFPR identifies 75 hours of broker pre-license education, passage of the state and national examination, sponsorship by a sponsoring broker, and 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period as core broker requirements.

Age and education qualifications

Applicants generally need a high school diploma or GED. The minimum age listed by IDFPR for a broker is 18, although applicants should review the current application instructions carefully because eligibility rules and documentation requirements can differ depending on the application pathway.

People licensed in another state may qualify for an endorsement route rather than completing the standard Illinois process. Endorsement applicants must document an active license in good standing and satisfy Illinois examination and education requirements applicable to their circumstances.

Required Pre-License Education

Illinois requires approved education before an applicant can take the broker licensing examination. IDFPR’s professional-requirements document lists 75 hours of broker pre-license education.

The education generally covers foundational subjects such as:

Real estate principles and practices
Illinois license law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Fair housing and civil rights
Real estate finance
Property ownership and transfer
Leasing and property management concepts
Licensee responsibilities and professional conduct

Course providers may divide the required hours into multiple classes. The exact course structure, final exam rules, attendance requirements, and completion documentation depend on the approved provider.

Choosing an online Illinois course

Online education can be useful for prospective agents in Frankfort who need a flexible schedule. Before purchasing a course, confirm that:

The provider is approved or otherwise authorized under Illinois requirements.
The course satisfies the current broker pre-license curriculum.
The provider explains how identity verification, attendance, progress tracking, and final testing work.
You will receive documentation needed for the Illinois license application.
The course includes current Illinois law and examination preparation.
Student support is available if you have questions about the material.

An online course does not eliminate the examination, application, sponsorship, or background-review requirements. It only provides a different format for completing the education component.

How to Apply for an Illinois Real Estate License

After completing the required education, the typical process is:

Complete an approved pre-license course. Keep your course-completion documentation and transcript.
Register for the licensing examination. Follow the current instructions from the state-approved testing vendor.
Pass the national and Illinois portions of the examination. Confirm whether a passing score on one portion remains valid if the other portion is not passed.
Prepare the application. Provide identification, education records, examination information, and any required disclosures.
Complete background-review requirements. Follow IDFPR’s current instructions for criminal-history questions and fingerprint submission.
Pay the current application fee. Fees can change, so confirm the amount immediately before filing.
Secure sponsorship. An Illinois broker license must be sponsored by an eligible sponsoring broker before the licensee can operate with an active status.
Wait for IDFPR processing and license activation. Do not practice real estate until the license is properly issued and active.

IDFPR states that broker applications can be submitted through its online licensing process and that the application instructions identify the required fee and supporting documentation.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Applicants should expect questions about criminal history, professional discipline, and other matters that may affect eligibility. A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but failing to disclose required information can create additional problems.

Fingerprinting procedures, approved vendors, forms, and fees may change. Applicants should use the current IDFPR instructions rather than relying on an older course handout or a third-party checklist. If IDFPR requires fingerprints for the application, complete them exactly as directed and retain the receipt or confirmation.

Applicants with prior convictions, disciplinary actions, license denials, or other concerns may wish to contact IDFPR or obtain legal advice before applying. Only IDFPR can determine how a specific history affects licensure.

Illinois Real Estate Licensing Exam

The Illinois broker examination tests both general real estate knowledge and Illinois-specific rules. IDFPR’s requirements summary states that applicants must pass the state and national examination.

Prepare by combining:

The approved pre-license curriculum
Illinois license law and regulations
Practice questions
Vocabulary and math review
Contract and agency concepts
Test-taking practice under timed conditions

The testing vendor, scheduling process, identification rules, examination fee, passing-score policy, and retake procedures can change. Review the current candidate handbook and examination registration instructions before scheduling.

A failed examination does not necessarily end the licensing process. Applicants should follow the current retake rules and determine whether additional education or a new application is required.

Illinois Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the provider, examination arrangements, fingerprinting requirements, application fee, and other personal expenses. Common cost categories include:

Pre-license education
Course materials or exam preparation
Licensing examination
Fingerprinting or background-check services, if required
Initial license application
Post-license education
Continuing education at renewal

Illinois sources do not appear fully consistent on every published fee and education figure. For example, one IDFPR online-licensing instruction document lists a $125 broker application fee and 90 hours of instruction, while the IDFPR professional-requirements summary lists 75 hours; an IDFPR brochure lists a $150 initial broker fee. Because of this discrepancy, verify the amount and education requirement shown in the current application portal, checklist, and IDFPR guidance before paying or enrolling.

The safest budget is one that includes the course, examination, possible fingerprinting, the current application fee, and later post-license education. Do not rely on an old blog post or an advertised “all-in” price unless it clearly explains which costs are included.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline varies based on study pace, course availability, examination appointments, retakes, background-review issues, sponsorship, and IDFPR processing time.

A motivated applicant may complete the education relatively quickly, while someone studying part time may need longer. Additional time may be required if:

The applicant fails one examination portion.
IDFPR requests more documentation.
Fingerprinting or background review is incomplete.
The application contains a disclosure requiring review.
The applicant has difficulty finding a sponsoring broker.
The chosen course has a fixed schedule rather than self-paced access.

For an accurate estimate, treat the process as several separate stages rather than assuming a guaranteed number of days.

Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Frankfort

An Illinois broker generally needs sponsorship to practice with an active license. The sponsoring broker or brokerage provides the legal and professional structure through which the new agent conducts business.

When comparing brokerages serving Frankfort and surrounding communities, ask about:

Commission splits and transaction fees
Monthly or desk fees
Training and mentorship
Lead-generation programs
Technology and transaction-management systems
Marketing support
Office and remote-work expectations
Contract review and compliance supervision
Geographic coverage
Opportunities for residential, commercial, leasing, or relocation work

The highest commission split is not always the best starting arrangement. New agents should compare the total support package, out-of-pocket costs, training quality, and expectations for generating business.

Post-License Education

Illinois requires 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period for a broker, according to IDFPR’s professional-requirements summary.

Post-license education is different from the initial pre-license course. It is intended to help new licensees transition into practice and understand the responsibilities of working with clients, contracts, transactions, and brokerage supervision.

Complete the required post-license education by the applicable deadline. Missing the requirement can affect renewal or license status.

Continuing Education

After the first renewal period, Illinois brokers must complete continuing education for each subsequent renewal period. IDFPR publishes approved broker continuing-education curricula, including a six-hour core curriculum and other applicable requirements.

Continuing education may address:

Illinois license law
Agency and brokerage duties
Fair housing
Contracts and disclosures
Ethics and professional conduct
Risk management
Current regulatory issues

Because renewal cycles and course requirements can change, check the current IDFPR renewal instructions before selecting courses. Use an approved provider and retain completion records.

Potential Earnings for Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Agents are commonly paid through commissions or other transaction-based compensation, and earnings can vary substantially by sales volume, transaction value, commission agreements, brokerage split, expenses, market conditions, specialization, and whether the agent works full time or part time.

Public wage data should be interpreted carefully because government occupational statistics may combine different real estate roles and may not reflect the income of independent contractors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides occupational wage information for real estate brokers and sales agents, but the figures should not be treated as a promise of what a new Frankfort agent will earn.

New agents should plan for uneven income, particularly during the first months of business. A practical financial plan may include:

Several months of personal living expenses
Licensing and education costs
Transportation
Insurance
Marketing
Association or technology expenses
Taxes and bookkeeping
Brokerage and transaction fees

Ask any prospective brokerage to explain its compensation plan in writing, including splits, caps, fees, referral charges, team arrangements, and when commissions are paid.

Career Opportunities in and Around Frankfort

A broker license can support several real estate career paths, depending on training, sponsorship, experience, and local demand:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
New-construction sales
Leasing and rental services
Property management-related work
Commercial real estate
Investment-property transactions
Relocation services
Real estate referrals
Transaction coordination or brokerage operations

Frankfort-based agents may also serve clients in nearby communities across the southwest Chicago suburbs. Building a local business requires more than knowing the licensing rules; it may involve learning neighborhood characteristics, transportation patterns, municipal processes, schools and services as permitted by fair-housing laws, property-tax considerations, and the needs of buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants.

Agents must avoid making protected-class steering decisions or unsupported claims about neighborhoods. Fair-housing compliance and accurate advertising are essential parts of professional practice.

Practical Next Steps

Prospective agents in Frankfort can use this checklist:

Review the latest IDFPR broker requirements.
Confirm the current education-hour requirement before enrolling.
Choose an approved Illinois pre-license provider.
Complete the required course and retain the transcript.
Review the current examination handbook.
Prepare for both the national and Illinois portions of the exam.
Gather identification and any required legal or education documents.
Follow current fingerprinting and background-review instructions.
Confirm the current application fee in the IDFPR system.
Interview several sponsoring brokerages.
Complete the 45-hour post-license requirement on time.
Track future renewal and continuing-education deadlines.

For flexible preparation, an approved Illinois real estate pre-licensing course may be a convenient starting point, but the current IDFPR instructions control if course marketing materials differ from state requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of education are required to become an Illinois real estate broker?

IDFPR’s professional-requirements summary lists 75 hours of broker pre-license education. However, another IDFPR licensing document lists 90 hours, so applicants should confirm the current requirement with IDFPR and the approved provider before enrolling.

Do I need a college degree?

No college degree is generally required. Illinois requires a high school diploma or GED for the broker pathway, subject to the current eligibility rules and application documentation.

Can I take the Illinois course online?

Online options may be available through approved providers. Confirm that the specific course is approved for Illinois broker pre-license education and satisfies current attendance, testing, and completion-record requirements.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. IDFPR lists sponsorship by a sponsoring broker as a broker-license requirement for an active practice status.

Is fingerprinting required?

Applicants should be prepared to follow IDFPR’s current background-check and fingerprinting instructions if required for their application. Procedures and vendors can change, so use the current IDFPR checklist rather than relying on outdated guidance.

How much does an Illinois broker license cost?

The application fee must be verified at the time of filing. IDFPR publications currently show differing broker-fee figures, including $125 and $150, so applicants should confirm the amount in the current online application and official checklist.

What education is required after I get licensed?

IDFPR lists 45 hours of post-license education during the first renewal period, followed by continuing education for later renewals.

Can a new agent earn a guaranteed salary?

No. Real estate compensation varies and is often commission-based. Public wage data can provide broad occupational context, but it does not guarantee the income of a new agent in Frankfort or elsewhere.

Authoritative Sources